BELAGA: Penan parents in the state should work closely with teachers and the Education Department in the education of their children, Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said.
BAD EXAMPLE: A reader sent in this photograph of a city council official’s vehicle parked illegally in front of a restaurant during lunch hour on Wednesday. The reader complained that city leaders should be setting a better example for the public and practising what they preach.
He said it was always the government’s intention to ensure that they as well as other minority ethnic communities would not continue to remain illiterate and thus marginalised.
He was speaking at a gathering with teachers at the SMK Belaga here last night.
Earlier, Fuad visited two secondary and four primary schools here including the SK Long Urun where 88 per cent of its 268 students are Penan.
“When your children are educated, they can help in the development of your area and provide the much needed new and better leadership in tune with the changing times,” he said.
He added that Penan children were just as good as other children if they attended classes regularly because ‘we have very dedicated and committed teachers’.
Mohd Puad however expressed concern over the high rate of absenteeism among Penan students and pupils, citing the rate at SK Long Urun which was about 38.2 per cent.
In his speech, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo said the Penans here were different from those in other parts of the state as they would always refer their problems to the government.
“Unlike the others, they do not turn to foreign help or non-governmental organisations. We should maintain their trust in us,” he said. — Bernama